Bunny misbehaving

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 7sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 11 months ago by Agnes.

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- 03/07/2021 at 9:23 PM
  pierrethebun
  Participant
  4 posts
  Hello! This is my first bunny, I’ve had him for about a month now. He is very sweet and besides the occasional pull at his carpet he is very well behaved. He has a large dog play pen and is free range all day except for when I’m not home (with covid im only gone for a couple hours max). Although, today I rearranged my room to give him more floor space and almost immediately he went on a chewing rampage. He was obsessively chewing the carpet and anything he could get his mouth on and also pooped on my bed a couple times which he’s never done before unless something startles him. I was just wondering if the change in scenery is enough to stress him out and act out, or if I should consider something else is bothering him? He has plenty of toys and cardboard and Timothy hay toys to chew on.
- 03/07/2021 at 9:25 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17214 posts
  How old is he?
- 03/08/2021 at 4:03 AM
  pierrethebun
  Participant
  4 posts
  He is 8 months old
- 03/08/2021 at 5:17 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5831 posts
  Changing scenery does make the environment somewhat “new”. I have to rabbits who free-roam with each other and when I re-arrange things, there is some tension that happens between them as they seem to navigate a “new space”.
  
  Is he neutered? Many of these behaviors align with a hormonal rabbit and are very natural.
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 03/08/2021 at 5:29 AM
  pierrethebun
  Participant
  4 posts
  Yes he is neutered, so it must have been the sudden change that brought it on. This morning he is much better!
- 03/08/2021 at 9:09 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17025 posts
  Even neutered rabbit often get a bit of “March hare syndrome” this time of year. It’s due to the return of the light and the days getting longer. They can get something similar in the fall, but it’s as a rule more marked in the spring.
  
  It’s normal, and it subsides after a few weeks. While its going on, the rabbit can be very energetic, pee- and poop mark its area and engage in courting behavours (circling, honking, nipping, humping). There can also be displays of aggression, especially near their home base.
- 03/08/2021 at 9:11 AM
  pierrethebun
  Participant
  4 posts
  Thats very interesting, thank you!
- 03/12/2021 at 3:31 PM
  Agnes
  Participant
  1 posts
  It seems to me that your bunny’s sudden change in behaviour has been caused by you rearranging your furniture. My bunny is very sensitive to any changes in my room, even me putting the chair or the shoes in a different place or leaving some clothes on the floor. When I come to think of it, he pretty much checks the whole place out almost every day and leaves his scent on every item that has been positioned differently. He also likes testing things by jumping on items that have been moved. He is quite curious and he will notice every little change.
  
  I think your bunny didn’t like that you moved things. By peeing on your bed he wants to tell you he is the boss and also leave his scent to claim it as his. Apparently bunnies sometimes lick, chew or nibble on your clothes or things because they are too shy to lick you and show you their affection. Him chewing on the carpet could be his way of showing he cares about you or that you are his so to speak. My bunny occasionally damages my things like shoes but the damage is almost gentle. He has this thing when he unties my shoelaces on a new pair of shoes. I think it’s kind of funny, as if he is trying to remind me of his presence in case I have forgotten.
  
  I hope your bunny gets used to the new layout of the room over the next couple of days and his nervous behaviour goes back to normal. 😉
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